1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 This representation has been prepared by Strutt & Parker on behalf of Countryside Properties (UK) Ltd to support the promotion of land to the north-west of Balsham Road, Linton as part of the Greater Cambridge First Proposals Consultation 2021.

1.2 In September 2021 Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service published the Greater Cambridge Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment (HELAA), which provided an initial assessment of the sites put forward for consideration for allocation as part of the Call for Sites consultations within Greater Cambridge.

1.3 This representation provides a response to the ‘First Proposals’ Preferred Options Consultation and has been structured to respond to relevant questions as set out within the First Proposals Consultation. In addition, a detailed assessment is provided in respect of the HELAA Proforma for the site.

1.4 The HELAA excludes the Balsham Road site from allocation primarily on the basis of landscape issues, notably that the proposed development “would have substantial and unacceptable landscape and visual impacts that would not be sufficiently mitigated by the proposed landscape treatments”.

1.5 The site was submitted as part of the Call for Sites for circa 300 dwellings and a rural business park. In response to the HELAA consultation, an updated Landscape Technical Note and Opportunities and Constraints Plan has been prepared by Barton Willmore to respond to the landscape and townscape comments regarding the sensitivity of the site. As a result, it is proposed to set development back from the northern boundary and provide key landscape corridors through the site. The site is considered to have capacity for the provision for up to 300 dwellings and up to 1 hectare of employment land. The Technical Note by Barton Wilmore on the landscape and visual impact has been provided within appendix A of this response.

1.6 The Opportunities and Constraints Plan demonstrates where the most and least sensitive areas within the site are. This has been produced in conjunction with the Technical Note on landscape and visual impact and the Council’s Landscape Character Assessment (2021). This has informed a reduced developable area. The revised scheme has been set back from the north, with clear landscape corridors, to allow clear landscape views to the Grade II Listed Water Tower to be fully maintained. The proposed development area represents a logical rounding off and extension to the large Minor Rural Centre of Linton which is a well-served village with a number of existing services and facilities.

1.7 Therefore, in view of the above, it is considered that several of the assessments criteria, particularly regarding the landscape impact should be re-categorised. It has been demonstrated in the supporting information provided that the allocation of this site would not have a significant adverse impact the landscape and townscape such that the site should be considered as a suitable, achievable and deliverable site for housing and should therefore be put forward for allocation in the emerging Local Plan. Further analysis of this is set out within section 7 of this report.

1.8 In support of this report, the following documents have been prepared; • Landscape and Visual Technical Advice Note – Barton Willmore; and • Opportunities and Constraints Plan – Barton Willmore.

1.9 In addition to the above documents, where relevant reference is also made to documents prepared and submitted previously as part of earlier rounds of consultation on the Local Plan.

2. QUESTION: Do you agree that we should plan for an extra 550 homes per year, so that housing keeps up pressure with increased jobs in our area?

2.1 We agree that it is very important that housing delivery keeps up for demand for increased jobs within the area.

2.2 As part of the preparation of the emerging Greater Cambridge Local Plan, the Shared Planning Service has identified a need for 2,321 dwellings to be built per year. A significant proportion of this growth is made up of existing allocations within the Local Plan.

2.3 The initial evidence base and spatial options assessment for the emerging Local Plan, set three growth options; ‘minimum’ (40,300 dwellings - based upon standard methodology); ‘medium’ (46,200 dwellings- based upon economic forecast based upon long term historic employment) and ‘maximum’ (67,700 dwellings – based upon fast economic growth in the recent past). In view of this, the housing delivery target of 44,400 new homes over the plan period alongside 58,500 new jobs would fall between the ‘minimum ‘and ‘medium’ growth scenarios previously suggested.

2.4 The Development Strategy Topic Paper, that accompanies this consultation acknowledges that the Greater Cambridge economy is dynamic and does not readily align with national or regional forecasts for job growth. In particular, it has a world-renowned life sciences cluster which has the potential to drive growth beyond typical regional or national rates. It is also acknowledged that in the recent past employment growth within the region has been significantly higher than predicted.

2.5 Accounting for the evidence set out within the Development Strategy Topic Paper, it is not clearly justified why only 44,400 new homes and 58,500 new jobs are proposed over the plan period. It is considered that this approach should be re-visited to increase both housing and employment allocations within the Local Plan. It is considered that the delivery of housing should be significantly increased, in line with the ‘maximum’ growth forecast, to align with economic growth within the recent past. The case for maximum growth forecast is further supported by significant transport investment within the area over the plan period. This includes schemes such as East-West Rail, Cambridge South Station and the delivery of a number of Rapid Transit Routes proposed by the Greater Cambridge Partnership.

2.6 The provision for lower growth scenarios does also not appear to be consistent with the Government’s objectives for the Ox-Cam Arc as a focus for housing and employment growth with associated infrastructure

3. QUESTION: Do you agree that new development should mainly focus on sites where car travel, and therefore emissions, can be minimised?

3.1 Yes, in principle the proposal to focus development on sites where car travel can be minimised is supported. Consistent with this strategy, it is considered to be very important that some growth is delivered in the larger more sustainable villages that are located outside of the Green Belt, such as Linton. National policy is clear within paragraph 79 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) that planning policies should identify opportunities for villages to grow and thrive, especially where they will support local services. The updated NPPF (2021), also provides additional emphases on the suitability of providing significant extensions to villages, provided that they are well located and designed.

3.2 The CPIER report, which is referenced as a key document within the evidence base provides a detailed analysis regarding the potential benefits of focusing growth along key transport corridors. The proposed Cambridge South-East Transport Project (CSET), proposes significant sustainable transport improvements between Cambridge and Haverhill. This includes significantly improved public transport, including an off-road rapid transit bus route, along with significant cycleway improvements along the A1307, some of which have already been implemented. For ease of reference appendix D of this representation provides accessibility plans, prepared by Richard Jackson Partnership, which were previously submitted as part of the Issues and Options Consultation. The Accessibility Plans demonstrate the significant transport improvement measures within Linton and in between Linton and Cambridge.

3.3 In addition, Linton, benefits from being a sustainable settlement in its own right. As referred to within our previous representation at Issues and Options Stage (refer to Appendix C), Linton is the largest Minor Rural Service Centre (As defined within the adopted and emerging Local Plan) that is not situated within the Green Belt. It is also benefits from both primary and secondary education facilities and a large range of services, including shops, pubs, restaurants and community facilities.

3.4 Linton did also not receive any allocations within the 2018 Local Plan and therefore provision for additional growth as part of the Local Plan 2041 would be appropriate and assist with maintaining viability and vibrancy of the village by sustaining and enhancing rural services.

3.5 For the above reasons, it is considered that additional growth within Linton would be consistent with the objective of the Local Plan, which seeks to minimise car travel. Of the 6 sites submitted within Linton as part of the Call for Sites process, land to the north-west of Balsham Road, is considered to be a particularly sustainable and suitable site for residential development.

3.6 It is suggested that the provision for increasing the range of sites modestly to include smaller and medium sites in the rural area would provide significant benefits. For example, they could be delivered more quickly without requiring additional infrastructure, provide choice and flexibility in the housing market and secure affordable housing more immediately. This is a point recognised by the Inspector that examined the 2018 Local Plan for South Cambridgeshire as referenced within paragraph 31 of the report: “In order to arrive at a sound strategy, we consider that as a primary consideration, the Council would need to allocate more small and medium sized sites that could deliver homes in the short to medium term and help to bolster the 5-year HLS, until the Garden Communities begin to deliver housing. This would have the benefit of providing flexibility and choice in the market and the earlier provision of more affordable housing” (paragraph 114).

4. QUESTION: We feel that we should support the development of the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, with space for more healthcare facilities, research and housing. What housing, facilities or open spaces should be created around the campus?

4.1 We strongly agree that supporting the development and further expansion of Cambridge Biomedical Campus should be one of the key principles of the new Local Plan. To support this objective, it is imperative therefore that a proportion of new housing growth is located along sustainable transport corridors from the Biomedical Campus, to support the objective of the Local Plan outlined above (in section 3 of this statement), which seeks to minimise car travel.

4.2 It is also very important that the emerging Local Plan 2041 aligns housing and employment growth, with major transport schemes that are being promoted in and around Cambridge. The First Proposals provide a number of references to East-West Rail and the provision for Cambridge South Station, both of which are important new transport infrastructure projects. However, additional focus needs to be given the major infrastructure projects being promoted by the Greater Cambridge Partnership. Of particularly relevance to the Biomedical Campus expansion, is the Cambridge South East Rapid Transit Route (CSET), which is proposed to provide a rapid transit route from the Biomedical Campus to the market town of Haverhill, the majority of which will be provided as an off-road bus way route. It is considered important that substantial housing growth is provided to the south east of Cambridge along this rapid transit route, to ensure ease of access to the Biomedical Campus by sustainable transport means.

4.3 It is understood that the CSET Project has progressed significantly since the Issues and Options Consultation in 2020. It is understood that the Greater Cambridge Partnership are intending to submit a Transport for Works Order in early 2022. It is also an identified route within the current Local Transport Plan.

4.4 Linton is one of the largest settlements with South Cambridgeshire that will be served by the CSET route. Therefore, growth in this settlement would be consistent with one of the key objectives of the Local Plan, which seeks to minimise car travel by focusing growth on locations with good transport infrastructure. Linton is situated outside of the Green Belt and therefore it is considered that Linton should be the focus for growth ahead of settlements that lie within this designation such as Sawston.

5. QUESTION: What housing, jobs, facilities or open spaces do you think should be provided in and around these villages?

5.1 It is important that a range of housing, jobs and facilities are provided within larger villages as part of new allocations to allow them to thrive and remain vibrant. Countryside Properties are responsible for the promotion of land to the north-west of Balsham Road, Linton and have a track record of delivering high quality housing developments, which provide a mix of dwellings and tenures to meet objectively assessed housing needs. Countryside Properties are fully committed, to engagement with the Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service and Linton Parish Council regarding the mix and type of housing to be delivered on land to the north-west of Balsham Road. The proposals also include the provision for the delivery of a substantial area of public open space with associated landscaping and Countryside Properties are flexible on the proposed use of this open space.

5.2 The submission of the site, also includes the provision for a Rural Business Centre of up to 1 hectare in size. This Rural Business Centre has the ability to ensure that jobs are provided within the application site and to support smaller start-up businesses within the local area. This further strengthens the sustainability case for development of this site.

5.3 It should however be noted that Linton is strategically well located to provide housing growth in close proximity to large employment generators and jobs such as the Genome Campus, Granta Park, Haverhill, the Biomedical Campus as demonstrated by the attached accessibility plan, prepared by Richard Jackson Partnership, that is provided within Appendix D.

6. QUESTION: Are there any sites which you think should be developed for housing or business use, which we haven’t got on our map so far?

6.1 Yes, land to the north-west of Balsham Road, Linton should be allocated for development and would be a sound allocation as part of the emerging Local Plan being brought forward by a housebuilder that has a good track record for delivery. Countryside is a leading national housebuilder and has established a strong reputation for delivering high-quality mixed-tenure housing developments and award-winning places to live and are committed to delivering a landscape led development at Balsham Road, Linton.

6.2 The land to the north-west of Balsham Road, Linton is being promoted for a residential-led mixed use development which comprises an employment area. The proposals consist of up to 300 dwellings and a rural business centre of up to 1 hectare in size.

6.3 Having reviewed the settlement morphology, the area of proposed built form is now concentrated away from the northern boundary, thereby extending the village in such a way that respects the more sensitive landscape views in the northern part of the site.

6.4 The proposed development is focussed towards the south of the site which is the least visible from the surrounding landscape, and will comprise of up to 300 dwellings. To the east the site is well screened by the existing scrap yard and structural vegetation.

6.5 Medium to long distant views are available of only the northern parts of the site and as such these areas are proposed as open green space, in order to protect the character of the rolling Chalkland, as well as views of the listed Rivey Hill Water Tower, as a prominent feature on the horizon above Linton, as seen from the landscape to the south, which is identified in the Greater Cambridge Landscape Character Assessment.

6.6 The opportunity and constraints plan also allows provision for clear views to the water tower, along green corridors within the site. This will also help protect views of the water tower to the north. The aim of integrating the settlement with the rural landscape is also furthered by the inclusion of lower density housing towards the northern parts of the area proposed for development, forming an outward-facing, transitional porous settlement edge.

6.7 Structural vegetation is proposed along the western extents of the southern boundary, in order to provide a buffer between the proposed development and the existing housing to the south, as well as the western boundary in order to reinforce and strengthen the existing vegetated buffer to the bridleway. Further structural vegetation is proposed along the northern boundary, following the natural contours of the land form in order to soften the artificially straight line of the hedgerow that cuts across the landscape. Belts of structural 10 vegetation running broadly east/west more centrally within the site similarly follow the existing contours in order to soften the proposed development and integrate it within the surrounding rural landscape - see The Landscape and Visual Opportunities and Constraints plan (LN-LP-04 Rev A).